---- Fatline Riders ----Preparation - gear checklist for a fatline riders adventure vacation

Preparation Canadian guided winter adventure in Banff National Park

gear checklist Winter Powder adventure vacation and ski trips for experienced riders in Banff National Park, Canada

.:Banff National Park
.:fitness
.:gear checklist
.:ski hills
.:insurance
.:avalanche awareness

The following gear checklist is only a guideline, but we do recommend that you have all of the items in the equipment and outer wear sections.

Equipment

Skinning up in cold temps, gear checklist

All Mountain Skis/Board – “Fat!”

Boots – make sure they are good in very cold conditions

Poles – bigger baskets better for backcountry riding

*Daypack – which you could carry your skis/board with

General binding

Helmet – full face optional

Hydration bladder for your daypack

Optional Equipment

Touring binding (if not already your touring/down hill set-up)

Touring board/Split board

Skins

Avalanche transceiver

Avalanche probe and shovel

The above equipment is optional, depending on your requirements and avalanche awareness. For example if you often ride in the backcountry you are more than likely to own the above optional equipment, therefore bring it with you. If you don’t own the above optional equipment we can hire it on the days we need it.

Outer wear

Base layers – at least three

Inner snow pant (if not included in snow pant)

Snow pants – that are durable, good to hike in, not too tight

Jacket – not too hot, you need to layer it, wind and snow proof

Down jacket - if you have one

Mid layers – at least two

A vest is a good idea

Toque/beanie – one that keeps ears warm too

Goggles – you need these for sure, even two pairs is a good idea

Sunglasses – need these too

A thin toque/beanie for under your helmet if not full facial

Gloves – what ever works best, but it’s cold

At least three good pairs of snow socks!

Good winter shoes – we will be walking around in the snow

Just to let you know or remind you that the weather here is cold. I have grown up skiing in New Zealand – our winters do not get as cold as they do here in Canada, especially in the Rocky Mountains. Get ready for the cold. I have skied in temperatures of –30 Celsius, not the most enjoyable if you are unprepared. The weather here is dry and we do not receive much rain, or wet snow. Layers are a good idea for this type of winter – they allow you to accommodate to the constant changing temperature of your body. You do not want frostbite either – good gloves and warm toes are essential.

We want you to feel warm in the cold, which is totally possible with the right gear, if you have everything in the gear checklist you should be good to go. Riding is about being outside and feeling one with the mountain, you need to be comfortable in your gear. The last thing you want is to be cold and miserable – this is totally preventable and not going to happen.

If you feel you do not have the right stuff, don’t worry too much there will be enough time to buy it here in Banff on day one. But be warned items like fat skis/boards are not always readably available in the exact style and size you may desire, especially towards the end of the season.

Also to note if you are traveling from abroad, gear in Canada can be a lot more reasonably priced. So it could be a good opportunity to purchase new equipment, Alberta has a low tax of 7%, where as if you are in British Colombia the tax is 14%. If you have a particular style in mind contact us previously and we can see if Banff or Lake Louise stocks it and have it ordered for your arrival.

Wilson Sports in Lake Louise has offered any Fatline Rider customer the following: if you would like to purchase any equipment there will be no tax charge (so a saving of 7%) and any gear hired the money will be taken off the purchase. With the guided tour we do hire equipment from Wilson’s on day four, five and six – so that money would be taken off any purchase.

We have also put a list of other things that might help you or jog your memory while you are packing; some of these items are not essentials, but other things such as the bag are.

Other Stuff

Sunscreen

Body lotion (so dry here if your skin is not used to it)

Lip balm (again the dryness)

Ski/Board bag – all gear in one bag!

*Daypack/Overnight bag

Clothes for the evening

One set of good evening clothes – Sport Jacket good idea for Men, for fine dining room at the Post Hotel

Own first aid kit – your essentials

* The daypack/overnight bag needs to be a little bigger than a day bag, unless your day bag is really quite big. You should be able to fit a hydration water pack into the overnight bag – we will be outside all day without access to water. This is the bag we will be taking into Skoki Lodge for the night. You should be able to fit lodge shoes – slippers or something of the like, a change of clothes for the evening, a change of base layers for the next day. Your sleepwear, toilet/cosmetic bag, camera, lunch also need to fit - you will not need a sleeping bag. Also the bag needs to be comfortable, it will be on your back for up to five hours. Ideally is should have straps for your chest and waist, also straps to be able to attach your skis/board if needed.